Sidebar

Main Menu

Uganda Autumn 2014

23rd September - 8th October

Project Leader Sally Johnston’s summary of the trip

During the two-week project, which was jointly planned between our excellent Country Manager, Simon Hards & our friends at the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA), a team of 10 volunteers, two of which were from the UCA, coached school groups, trained teachers and ran cricket festivals that we called ‘test days’ in the three very different areas of Kamuli, Lugazi & Masindi. There was also HIV testing & counselling pitch side courtesy of the Mehta Group & The Aids Support Organisation at two of the three areas plus HIV/AIDS themed performances in Lugazi. The team had an opportunity to visit an orphanage in Masindi whose welcoming residents also took part in the cricket coaching & festival.

Equipment was divided up on the last day and donated to the grateful local schools and participating orphanage to ensure that they can put their new skills into practice although more softball equipment is desperately needed.

Pre, during and post trip the team ensured that the charity’s profile was raised through the media & community. There were interviews on local radio in Uganda and with the BBC, various features posted by the UGA through its communications, TV appearances on a local channel, press releases featured in papers & presentations made to interested audiences.

In quantitative terms, the team delivered cricket coaching and vital HIV AIDS awareness messages to over 2,000 school children and trained more than 65 teachers to make sure that CWB’s work continues and that cricket flourishes in new areas of the country sowing the seeds for future CWB projects. More importantly, over 150 children’s lives are now protected after they bravely volunteered to have their HIV status tested.